Charles Nailen/The Hoya The Hoyas hope for a repeat of last year when they won their first game on Homecoming weekend.
Although the Hoyas have given fans fleeting glimpses of good things to come, with an 0-2 record courtesy of decimations by Lehigh and Holy Cross, the big picture has yet to get any brighter. To that end, Georgetown will try to secure its first win of the 2002 season in their Homecoming game this Saturday as the Hoyas face down former Metro-Atlantic Athletic Conference foe Fairfield.
Last week, Georgetown, after a strong first half against Holy Cross, looked as though it might pick up its first victory and also its first win against a Patriot League opponent since joining the conference last season. Strong performances from freshman running back and Patriot League Rookie of the Week Kim Sarin as well as junior wide receiver Luke McArdle showed just how effective the Hoya offense can be. But after halftime, the offense stalled, the defense spent too much time on the field and Georgetown’s special teams completely fell apart, turning a game tied at 13 at the half into a 41-13 Holy Cross rout.
“We made a lot of improvements against Holy Cross,” Head Coach Bob Benson said. “Now we’ve got to put it all together.”
One thing that the Hoyas will certainly try to improve upon is special teams. Last week Holy Cross punt returner Ari Confessor scorched the Hoyas with two returns deep into Georgetown territory, and two botched long snaps on punts led to Holy Cross scores.
“Football is a game of details,” Benson said. “You can’t let your guard down. Every play can turn a game.”
One of the improvements Georgetown made against Holy Cross was the Hoyas’ ability to run the football. Sarin rushed for 95 yards on 10 carries last week, the most net yards in a game for a Georgetown back since Jamar Staples netted 113 against Iona on Nov. 4, 2000. The Hoya offense is still far from optimal performance. After Saturday’s games, Georgetown’s offense ranks last in Division I-AA.
The Hoyas will look to improve that performance against the Stags, the weakest team that Georgetown has faced so far this year. Fairfield, however, has held its opponents to just 78 yards rushing-per game this season, the 15th best-run defense in D-IAA.
The Stags enter the game with a record of 1-1. Fairmont St. downed the Stags 24-20 Aug. 31, but the Stags earned their first victory last week with a 25-14 decision over La Salle.
“We’ve got to get a win,” Benson said. “It’s one thing to struggle against teams in your new conference, but you’ve got to send a message for teams in your old conference and remind them why you left.”
Last year, the Hoyas found themselves on the losing end of a game against a different MAAC team, dropping a 35-32 overtime game to Marist. After the defeat, Benson admitted that the team probably took the game a little too lightly, while Marist “treated it like the Super Bowl.”
“I don’t fear anything like [the Marist game] happening again,” Benson said. “This team is still mad about the Holy Cross game, and we’re very much looking forward to Fairfield.”
Sarin will move up in the backfield rotation after last week’s performance as well as the departure of sophomore running back and early-season starter Darryl Collier. According to Benson, Collier left the team for personal reasons, did not do anything wrong and was not kicked off the team.
Sarin will split time with sophomore John Sims. Despite Sarin’s small size, 5-foot-7, Benson says he has no reservations about using Sarin, even in pass blocking situations.
“He’s a very tough kid,” Benson said. “Pass blocking may not be his strength, but his size doesn’t bother you as much as you think. He’s very fast, very quick and very tough,”
Senior tight end Bo Cote will return to the team after suffering an injury last game against Holy Cross. Benson expects him to be fine and plans on starting him Saturday.